Party in USA
World Cup host has made fans fall in love with America
As we arrive at the business end of the Fifa World Cup, there’s one group of people who are eating humble pie – those who believed that the tournament in US would be a disaster. The naysayers pointed to US’s lack of football culture, growing xenophobia, and sundry political issues. BUT, visiting fans have been pleasantly surprised. They have found America to be large, beautiful, and full of warm people.
Social media is replete with videos of foreign football fans loving American food – from the massive portions to their discovery of ranch– tourist spots, nature parks, pubs – Scottish fans literally drank Boston dry – and more. The love has flowed both ways, with Americans too embracing the occasion. Be it joining the Tartan Army as they marched down boulevards with bagpipes, or American youngsters taking to the Norwegian Viking row celebration, or locals hosting BBQs for the visitors.
What has definitely helped is the presence of large, well-established immigrant communities in US, who have served as a vibrant bridge. In that sense, the world was already in America before kickoff. Plus, the tournament has been largely incident-free with fans getting along sans boorish behaviour. Ditto in Mexico where English fans were warmly congratulated by locals even after England’s Round of 16 victory over Mexico. So, this World Cup has truly surprised – it has been one big party. And, it has taught geography – Americans now know where Cape Verde is.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
